Hilda Solis took the gavel as chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Tuesday, framing her final year on the board around wildfire recovery, homelessness services and protecting county safety-net programs amid federal policy shifts. The board unanimously confirmed Supervisor Mitchell as chair pro tem.
Solis told colleagues the county must prepare for reductions in federal funding and administrative changes that could limit access to programs such as CalFresh and Medicaid. She listed emergency relief and recovery work from earlier this year — including more than $21 million in relief grants, debris removal in wildfire zones and assistance to thousands of residents seeking rebuilding permits — as evidence of county response capacity and as a foundation for the coming year. "We must equip residents with every resource available," she said.
Outgoing Chair Barger and fellow supervisors praised Solis's leadership and highlighted the board's recent actions on juvenile hall safety, homeless services reform and community recovery after wildfires. The session paused early for a brief recess after a public disturbance; county counsel cited Government Code section 54957.9 and staff cleared the chamber before proceedings resumed.
The reorganization included procedural housekeeping: the board moved its order of business for the day, confirmed a slate of consent items and completed the swearing-in remarks. Solis emphasized collaboration with labor, county departments and community partners and pledged to prioritize programs serving immigrant, elderly and vulnerable populations.
The board called the meeting to order after the reorganization and moved on to the day's calendar. The next regular meeting was set for Dec. 9.